Beach Glass (36 page)

Usually only the author’s name goes on a book, but that’s because there isn’t room on the cover for the dozens of friends, beloveds, and angels who all have a hand in bringing the book to life. That’s a story in itself . . .

Decades ago (more than I’d care to specify), my mother handed me a book about how to write romance novels. “You should read this,” she said. “You could do this.” The fact that she thought I was capable of writing, and of writing a good book, was a vote of confidence that I have tried to validate ever since. And my father, David always tells me, “You can do it.” Four words that speak a world of love.

I wrote my memoir,
Cherries in Winter
, for my mother and for my grandmother, who wanted to be a writer. This one, I think I did for me.

But many years after that suggestion from Mom, I found myself adrift. A writer with no project is like a bottle with no message in it, bobbing along the seas with nothing to say. I found good headwinds in the right direction from Julia Cameron, whose guidebook
The Artist’s Way
brought me to a fictional beach called Heaven by an idealistic, passion fruit-loving surfer named Carson.

So I had a book; what does any writer of love stories do then? Packs a bag and goes to the national conference of the Romance Writers of America. There, I found incredible support, friends, teachers, and an agent named Louise Fury. She and her assistant, Colette, read an early version of
Beach Glass
and wept and smiled in the places I’d hoped they would. If not for them, this book wouldn’t have found its way to the Belles.

Oh, the women of Bell Bridge Books—my writing idol Debra Dixon, my champion Deborah Smith, the goddesses Danielle Childers and Brittany Shirley, and all the rest of the Belles. And the editor whose shoulder I would lean on and be supported by for a year, Lynn Coddington. She was the lamp who guided the book to what it could be, should be, and is.

Professional guidance was provided by incredible authors Ellen Sussman and Caroline Leavitt, and the invaluable instruction of John Truby. Personal support came from Hope Tarr, an author whose friendship is as lovely as her words. My gratitude goes to the gang in the red velvet room of Lady Jane’s Salon, and the sisters of RWA NYC. And Caryn Karmatz-Rudy once set down a challenge: “You could do better.” That’s a goal that keeps me trying ever harder.

And then there was the home team: my best friend of many (many) years, Amanda Siegelson, always a touchstone. Dear friends Chris Moore and Charles Cermele took me on a surf groupie’s weekend that inspired this book. Carolina Miranda is a creative inspiration who described her surfing adventures to me with color as vivid as her husband El Celso’s art. Linda Maglionico provided inspiration in bravely seeking her own destiny. Sherri Rifkin and Stephanie Krikorian, authors I’m lucky to have in my life, formed The Writers Forum with me specifically so we could all urge each other on. Without David Keeps and Steve Korté, I’d still be scratching my head about what to do with my life. Francesco Clark always responds to my “crazy” ideas with, “You could
totally
do that!” With his encouragement, I try, just so I can hear him say, “See? I told you so.”

More hubs of guidance and support: At Integral Yoga Institute, my divine instructors Kali Morse and Rashmi Galliano taught me how to remain calm and breathe. And the lovely editors Janet Siroto, Laura Mathews, Jenny Cook, and Rosemary Ellis gave my writing a good home in
Good Housekeeping
Magazine.

My godmother, Barbara Haspel, talked me through the process of art and creativity by telling me to stop talking about it and write. Valuable advice, that.

My extended family—Luisa, Amanda, Rebecca, Sheila, Ruth, and Ernesto—give love so freely I feel spoiled. I hope I give back as much. And love travels over miles of distance, as my stepsister Laurie and her family, and my stepbrother Adam and his family, and all my cousins and their clans, prove constantly.

Alice Uniman and Beth Rascoll provided spiritual support, as necessary as pancakes and coffee.

Animal friends deserve my gratitude, too. D’Artagnan gives the loveliest purrs. Bee is a delight-giving imp. And this book is dedicated to my CEO (Cat Executive Officer), Tootsie, who departed the day before
Beach Glass
was finished. I miss you, my little nimbutz.

My own story has a hero, a romantic man who brings me flowers, inspires me with beautiful photographs, gives me support, watches comic book movies with me, and loves me in a way I’ve never been blessed with love before. Thank you, Nathan. You’re my for always and forever.

Finally, I thank you, my dear reader. Without you, the words that come through this humble channel have no meaning. If you’ve come this far on our adventure together, I’m blessed with a new friend, and I thank you.

Suzan Colón is the author of the inspirational memoir
Cherries in Winter: My Family’s Recipe for Hope in Hard Times.
She has also written young adult novels based on the TV series
Smallville
, as well as
What Would Wonder Woman Do? An Amazon’s Guide to the Working World.
Suzan has contributed to
O, the Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping
, and many other publications. She lives in New Jersey with her husband Nathan. Please visit
suzancolon.net
.

Carson and Daniel are fictional characters (sadly), but the causes they believed in are real. I support Surfrider Foundation, the Ocean Conservancy, and the ASPCA.